“Hmm, now that’s an idea.” She pats me on the knee. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you?”
Ellie pulls up to her two-story home and shuts off her engine. I follow her into her home and to the sewing room where she’s got various quilts laid out at different stages of completion. Josephine is sitting on a chair, and a young woman sits next to her on the couch. “Kiki, this is Savannah,” Josephine says, motioning to the woman.
So, this is Noah’s ex. She’s a petite blonde, and she’s also wearing a dress. There must be a secret dress code on this island I’m not privy to. I smile and extend my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
CHAPTER 15
TOBIAS BARRETT
Ifinish the dishes and wipe the dining room table. As I’m wiping the counters off in the kitchen, Levi enters. He slips onto a barstool. “I want you to know I plan on paying you back the tuition money.”
I turn to look at him. His shoulders slump, and he looks defeated. Guilt worms its way into my chest. I’ve never told my brothers how much money I’ve been able to grow from our inheritance. And I haven’t told them about the trust funds I’ve set up for them. Each one of them will inherit about fifty million dollars. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” He exhales and I can see the weight of it on his shoulders. “I’ll get a job and get the money to you somehow.”
“I don’t need your money. I need you to be stable. It’s not about the money.” I grip the washcloth in my hand, hoping he understands what I’m saying.
“I can be stable without finishing college. Noah only went two years. He’s got a great career.” He looks at me, desperationin his eyes. “I can find something that doesn’t require a college degree. There’s lots of things these days.”
“I know.” I clap my hand on his back. “You’ll find something. I know you’re a good kid.”
“I’m twenty-two. Not really a kid anymore.”
I want to say to him that he should stop acting like one, but I bite my tongue. He doesn’t need to hear that from me right now. I go back to wiping the counter down. “You’ve grown into a good man. That’s why I know you’ll be okay.”
Levi swivels on his stool like Skyler does, proving that even at twenty-two there’s still some kid left in him. “Can I ask you something?”
The way he says it makes me stiffen. “Sure.”
“What’s going on with you and the nanny?” He raises one eyebrow.
“Nothing.” I hit something sticky on the counter, and I take my washcloth to the sink to get more warm water on it.
Levi shoots me a “you’re kidding” look. “Come on. You’ve got it bad for her. Admit it.”
I rinse the rag out, squeeze it, then take it back to the sticky spot. “We’re friends. It’s inappropriate for it to be anything more. She’s my employee.”
“Seriously? All you did was hire her to watch Skyler. And have you seen how she is with her? She’s amazing. I’ve noticed the way she looks at you. Why wouldn’t you want to see if something sparks between you?”
My chest constricts as I think about the castle Kiki built and how Skyler adores her. I lower my voice in case Skyler can hear. “She’s great with Skyler. But that’s the problem. I can’t start anything with her. If it doesn’t work out, Sky would be devastated.”
“Why are you assuming it won’t work out?” He narrows his eyes at me. “Are you still hung up on Courtney?”
I scrub harder at the counter. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Then, what’s the problem?” He looks at me like he can see right through me. He’s grown to be quite perceptive.
“I told you. I’m afraid of hurting Skyler.”
“Sky. Right.” He shakes his head. “Sure you’re not more afraid ofyougetting hurt?”
I scoff. “I’m not the one that matters here. I only want to do what’s best for my daughter.”
“So, your plan is to just never date? You’ll what? Stay single the rest of your life?” Levi gives me a challenging look.
I raise my chin. “I don’t need a woman. I’ve gotten along fine without one.”
He shakes his head. “You call this getting along fine? You’ve been moody and cranky since Courtney left.”
